April 2011 - Utah-Astronomy - mailman.xmission.com

ALCON 2011
by Debbie 14 Apr '11

14 Apr '11

Hi, Is the public star party on Saturday June 2nd? I don't know if I will be going to Rainbow Point on the 2nd because I have to drive home Sunday morning. I'm thinking the public star party would be better for Saturday night. Debbie

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] ALCON 2011
by Wayne Sumner 13 Apr '11

13 Apr '11

Don, I think you already have my info. Is that correct? Thanks, Wayne A. Sumner Math/Physics/Astronomy/Engineering Boy's Tennis Coach Northridge High School Davis School District (801) 402-8610 >>> "Don J. Colton" 04/13/11 9:55 AM >>> The public star party is June 29 - July 2. I need to know the exact nights people will be participating since we are limited to 44 volunteers each night and we are approaching that limit. I also need to know your vehicle type, plate number and scope you will be bringing. Participants receive free admission to the Park and free camping if desired. The public star party is red light only even with the public. At 1 AM those not wishing to stay the night can leave. The last buses for the public are at 12:30 AM. We have to set up and tear down each night. You also need to reserve a spot with Ann House (ann(a)annhouse.org ) for the private star party at Rainbow Point since it is limited to 45 scopes. Clear Skies, Don Colton 2011 ALCON Public Star Party Coordinator -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces(a)mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Debbie Sent: Wednesday, April 13, 2011 9:43 AM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: [Utah-astronomy] ALCON 2011 Hi, Is the public star party on Saturday June 2nd? I don't know if I will be going to Rainbow Point on the 2nd because I have to drive home Sunday morning. I'm thinking the public star party would be better for Saturday night. Debbie _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php

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Lunar photography request from BAA and ALPO
by Canopus56 13 Apr '11

13 Apr '11

>From the ALPO mailing list but issued originally by the BAA lunar section. The original BAA request covers all of the USA. - Clear Skies - Kurt ---------------------- Flag this message [LSA-ALPO] Observation Request Wednesday, April 13, 2011 10:19 AM From: "Lunar Section" <Larry(a)CEastronomy.org> Add sender to Contacts To: LSA-ALPO(a)yahoogroups.com Tony Cook, TLP coordinator, has requested observational support to re-observe the site of a TLP under similar illumination conditions. Obviously, the time of observation is critical (although I would guess that series of observations spanning the requested time could also be interesting). The information that Tony provided is below, including the relevant time (On the web link, look for April 15 .... Aristarchus observed by Greenacre on 1963-11-28).Â Anyone that can obtain images please send them to both Tony at atc(a)aber.ac.uk and me at wayne.bailey(a)alpo-astronomy.org ====================================================================== BAA electronic bulletin ====================================================================== Lunar images needed of Aristarchus/Herodotus on 2011 Apr 15 This Friday, April 15, between 19:00 and 21:00 UT, the Aristarchus and Herodotus area of the Moon will match the same illumination, to within +/- 0.5 degrees, as that observed during the famous Transient Lunar Phenomena (TLP) seen by Greenacre & Barr from Flagstaff Observatory back on 1963 Oct 30. The BAA Lunar Section would welcome any high resolution monochrome, or especially colour, images of this area during this time period. Such observations would be very helpful so that the Lunar Section can test out the 'atmospheric spectral dispersion' theory, proposed by Sheehan & Dobbins (Sky & Telescope, 1999), or to see if natural surface colour could explain some of the colours seen back in 1963. Observations should be emailed to the Lunar Section Assistant Director Dr Tony Cook at: tlp(a)baalunarsection.org.uk If you are interested in trying to resolve other past historical lunar mysteries, by observing under the same illumination conditions, then these can be found listed for different geographical sites across the world at http://users.aber.ac.uk/atc/tlp/tlp.htm They are suitable for both visual and imaging-capable observers. Tony Cook BAA Lunar Section

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Off-topic: Global Warming Lecture 4-14 Thurs UofU 12noon
by Canopus56 13 Apr '11

13 Apr '11

For interested persons. Please do not reply to this thread to revive the global warming debate. Clear Skies - Kurt ----- >From the UofU Calendar Climate Change and the Melting Polar Ice Caps In the fall of 2010, Ken Golden, Professor of Mathematics and Adjunct Professor of Bioengineering at the University of Utah, led the NSF sponsored United States research team on an international expedition to study Antarctica's frozen sea and its role in Earth's climate. A sea ice and climate expert, Professor Golden will discuss his findings at this lecture. Date: Thursday, April 14, 2011 Time: 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. Contact: Mary Ross 801-585-9521 Location: Gould Auditorium, Marriott Library - (view map) Parking: Visitor parking is available in the pay lot west of the library Cost: Free and open to the public Website: http://marriottlibrary.wordpress.com/2011/01/27/antarctic-lecture-series-at…

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ALCON 2011 Private Star Party at Rainbow Point
by Lowell Lyon 13 Apr '11

13 Apr '11

The latest information for all to be aware of is that the Rainbow Point Private Star Parties will be limited to 30 vehicles with equipment each night. There is an additional maximum of 20 parking stalls for those that want to go to Rainbow Point without equipment yet we are encouraging those without telescopes to attend the public star parties across from the Bryce Canyon Visitor's Center. Those that are going to Rainbow Point are asked to donate at least one night at a public star party. Rainbow Point will most likely be used by those involved with the ALCON Astrophotography Contest. The ALCON Observing Awards Program sponsored by Astronomy Magazine can be worked on at both the public and private star parties. Keep watching the ALCON 2011 website for more details as they are posted in the next couple of weeks. You will now see more confirmed speakers appearing on the website. Celestron has committed to be a major sponsor and vendor at ALCON. The Astronomical League has a booth at the upcoming NEAF convention to promote ALCON and get commitments from additional vendors. The marketing flyer being used at NEAF is attached. Thank you. Lowell Lyon

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2011 GP59 April 15 19UT
by Canopus56 12 Apr '11

12 Apr '11

>From the BAA Mailing List - Kurt ====================================================================== BAA electronic bulletin ====================================================================== This object was discovered on the night of April 8/9 by the Observatorio Astronomico de Mallorca (OAM) using a 0.45-m f/2.8 reflector at their La Sagra facilities (J75) in Andalusia, Spain (see http://www.minorplanets.org/OLS/ ). The observers involved were S. Sanchez, J. Nomen, R. Stoss, M. Hurtado, J. A. Jaume and W. K. Y. Yeung. 2011 GP59 is due to make its closest approach to the Earth on April 15 at 19h UT at 1.39 lunar-distances but will be brightest at an average magnitude of 13.2 around 00h UT on the night of April 14/15 when it will be very favourably placed in the sky for observers worldwide. This is the best NEO close approach these past few years and is bright enough to be observed visually in large (>0.2-m aperture) telescopes when on the night of Thursday 14th it will appear as a faint slow-moving star. Observers should be aware however that the object, which is approximately 60 metres in diameter, appears to be rotating very quickly, once every 7.35 minutes in fact. It is also quite oblong in shape such that its rotation makes it look distinctly bright then faint every 4 minutes or so. David Briggs observing with the Hampshire Astronomy Group's 0.4-m instrument on the evening of April 11 commented, "This is probably the fastest rotator I've seen so far in that it completely disappears from view every 3 to 4 images". Brian Skiff of Lowell Observatory has completed a lightcurve analysis which can be found at: ftp://ftp.lowell.edu/pub/bas/astlc/2011_GP59.png Close inspection of Brian's results show that the object is almost certainly rotating around more than one axis, i.e. it is tumbling. Weather for UK observers is likely to deteriorate over the coming days and so it might be best to observe tonight (Tuesday) around midnight or later when clear skies are forecast for much of England. Unfortunately it will only be 16th magnitude at that time and so will be too faint to be picked up visually. Positions can be found using the Minor Planet Center's ephemeris service at: http://minorplanetcenter.net/iau/MPEph/MPEph.html Clear skies, Richard Miles Director, Asteroids and Remote Planets Section British Astronomical Association rmiles(a)baa.u-net.com

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new personal record
by Joe Bauman 12 Apr '11

12 Apr '11

Hi Friends, Here's the most distant named object I've photographed, Copeland's "Septet." Thanks, Joe http://www.deseretnews.com/blog/47/10011764/Nightly-news-astronomy-Beauty-a…

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SkyView for iOS
by Jared Smith 12 Apr '11

12 Apr '11

Jay's wonderful reviews of several iPhone/iPad has prompted me to post about my newest, most favorite iPhone astronomy app. It's called SkyView (not to be confused with the high school in Cache Valley). http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/skyview-explore-the-universe/id404990064 There's also an Android version. SkyView enables the camera on your phone, so the screen shows live footage of where your camera is pointing. It uses the GPS, gyroscope, and compass in your phone to determine where you're at and which direction you are pointing the phone. It then overlays onto the live image virtual representations of astronomical bodies and satellites found in the screen's view area. The way it does this and it's accuracy is almost magical. If you want to know what a particular star, planet, constellation, or satellite is, just point your phone at it and an illustrated version of the object will show up on the screen at that location. You can click the object for more educational information. You can also view the future and past tracks for a body. For example, I just pointed my iPhone at a bright object in the Southeastern sky. The screen clearly and instantly showed the image Saturn on top of the actual planet on the screen. I clicked to select Saturn, then followed it's track line down to the Eastern horizon and it showed that Saturn was rising at this point around 7pm. I followed the track across the sky to the Western horizon to find it will set around 6:30am. As I was pointing the iPhone around Saturn, I noticed the image of Hubble in the area and was able to watch it make a close pass by Saturn. You can also search for an object (there are thousands in the database), then follow the arrows on the screen until the body appears on the screen. It has real-time satellite tracking too - just enter ISS (for example), then follow the arrows until you see the illustrated ISS on the screen and you'll know precisely where ISS is in real life, even if it's under your feet. It also displays RA/Dec, azimuth, and elevation for all objects, making it easy to get your telescope there if you want a closer look. It is by far the coolest, most useful astronomy app I've seen. And it's only $.99 - and there's a free version that does just about everything. Jared PS - One quick tip for Jay - if you press and hold the "Home" button at center bottom of the iPhone, then press and release the "Sleep" button on top right of the iPhone, a screen shot will be saved to your camera roll. You can then e-mail or download this for use on your web site (or wherever). It works a lot better than taking photos of your screen.

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My Blog
by Jay Eads 12 Apr '11

12 Apr '11

Joe B. recommended to me that I post and let people know of my blog that I have had going for awhile. If anyone is interested I have just put up a review of several astronomy apps for the iPad/iPhone/iTouch and my last observing log with sketches. Here is the link. http://jaysastronomyobservingblog.blogspot.com/ -- Jay Eads

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Uranus moves north
by Canopus56 12 Apr '11

12 Apr '11

>From BAA E-Bulletins - Clear Skies - Kurt ====================================================================== BAA electronic bulletin ====================================================================== You may be interested to know the following: For the past 40+ years, the planet Uranus has been traversing the south celestial hemisphere having last time passed south of the celestial equator on 1969 August 2. As such it has tended to be a difficult object for UK and other northern observers over several decades. Well at last on 2011 April 12, I can report that the planet finally ventures north of the equator in the sky and so for many years to come will be a more conveniently placed object. Richard Miles rmiles(a)baa.u-net.com

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